Dirty tank reg (HELP)

I was playing yesterday and noticed that my reg cover on my hpa came off. I looked to see of any dirt got in and i saw a few grains of sand nudged in there. i tried to get it out but im afraid some got inside the tank. How can i clean it or take it upart some how?? thanks

Its a PMI tank

Edited by Cypher5601 - 19 April 2007 at 6:01am

Wear is not the problem that the grit may cause. Problem is that the grit can get into the regulator preventing it from regulating (pressure can spike to FULL bottle pressure going into the marker). It can also cause the tank valve to leak when unscrewed from the ASA.

There are concerns over using any kind of oil in an HPA tank to clean the regulator. Using lubricant to clean externally installed regulators and power valves is a common method. And though there are no documented cases of oil causing explosion of HPA tanks, there are cautions that are not unreasonable.

There are non-flammable synthetic lubricants that can be used to clean the internal valve regulators on HPA tanks. Such non-flammable synthetic lubricants are available for paintball markers from Pro Shops. Similar and less expensive lubes are also available through welding supply stores.

A few drops into the fill nipple as you fill the tank will work through the regulator and help to dislodge trash from the sealing/regulating surfaces to restore function. I have had my tank regulator quit regulating due to dirt getting into it on two occasions. Both times I was able to restore full function with a shot of non-flammable synthetic lubricant into the fill nipple of the tank. Tank valve regulators require the same occasional lubrication and cleaning that external (secondary) regulators do.

The only other method is to have a Pro Shop, with experience in doing this, remove the valve from the tank, clean the tank and the valve regulator.

A hydrostatic test would, as a byproduct of the process, clean the tank, but if the valve regulator is already contaminated it will require someone else to fix it or replace it.

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Cypher5601 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 22 June 2006 Status: Offline Points: 117	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cypher5601 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dirty tank reg (HELP) Posted: 19 April 2007 at 5:55am
	I was playing yesterday and noticed that my reg cover on my hpa came off. I looked to see of any dirt got in and i saw a few grains of sand nudged in there. i tried to get it out but im afraid some got inside the tank. How can i clean it or take it upart some how?? thanks Its a PMI tank Edited by Cypher5601 - 19 April 2007 at 6:01am

tallen702 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Hipster before Hipster was cool... Joined: 10 June 2002 Location: Under Your Bed Status: Offline Points: 11859	Post Options Post Reply Quote tallen702 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 April 2007 at 9:06am
	getting a little dirt in your tank isn't the end of the world. Yes, there is a chance of seals getting worn more quickly, but for the most part, anything that makes it into the tank can make it out again. That said, DO NOT attempt to take the fill nipple or reg off of your tank and clean it. If you're really worried about it, go spend the $20-$40 to get it hydroed and the test they do will wash it out (It's filled with water and pressurized to a certain point).
	<Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.>

Bruce A. Frank Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member KRL Reincarnated? Joined: 27 March 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3063	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bruce A. Frank Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 April 2007 at 11:53am
	Wear is not the problem that the grit may cause. Problem is that the grit can get into the regulator preventing it from regulating (pressure can spike to FULL bottle pressure going into the marker). It can also cause the tank valve to leak when unscrewed from the ASA. There are concerns over using any kind of oil in an HPA tank to clean the regulator. Using lubricant to clean externally installed regulators and power valves is a common method. And though there are no documented cases of oil causing explosion of HPA tanks, there are cautions that are not unreasonable. There are non-flammable synthetic lubricants that can be used to clean the internal valve regulators on HPA tanks. Such non-flammable synthetic lubricants are available for paintball markers from Pro Shops. Similar and less expensive lubes are also available through welding supply stores. A few drops into the fill nipple as you fill the tank will work through the regulator and help to dislodge trash from the sealing/regulating surfaces to restore function. I have had my tank regulator quit regulating due to dirt getting into it on two occasions. Both times I was able to restore full function with a shot of non-flammable synthetic lubricant into the fill nipple of the tank. Tank valve regulators require the same occasional lubrication and cleaning that external (secondary) regulators do. The only other method is to have a Pro Shop, with experience in doing this, remove the valve from the tank, clean the tank and the valve regulator. A hydrostatic test would, as a byproduct of the process, clean the tank, but if the valve regulator is already contaminated it will require someone else to fix it or replace it.